Watford 0-0 Brighton & Hove Albion

Britos received his third red card in the Premier League since the start of 2016-17; more than any other player

Brighton claimed their first ever Premier League point despite failing to break down 10-man Watford at Vicarage Road.

Uruguayan defender Miguel Britos was shown a first-half red card for a high and reckless challenge on Brighton's Anthony Knockaert, who was lucky to escape injury.

In a game of few clear-cut chances, Brighton came closest to making the breakthrough as they twice hit the post through Knockaert and Tomer Hemed.

But Watford's 10 men held firm to claim a battling point that extends their unbeaten start to the season, as the Seagulls' wait for a first Premier League goal since promotion goes on.

• Relive Watford's game with Brighton as it happened

• Reaction from Saturday's Premier League matches

The hosts started brightly, with Nathaniel Chalobah seeing a goal-bound header blocked by Lewis Dunk and record signing Andre Gray missing from a Nordin Amrabat pull back.

Amrabat, who had looked dangerous for the hosts, was soon replaced by Craig Cathcart as head coach Marco Silva patched up his defence after Britos' dismissal.

Brighton appealed for a penalty when Abdoulaye Doucoure put in a high foot while competing for a loose ball with Knockaert, but referee Graham Scott instead awarded an indirect free-kick.

Both sides pushed for the win in the final 10 minutes as Watford introduced club captain Troy Deeney and Albion threw on record signing Jose Izquierdo for his debut, but neither could make a telling contribution.

'The most horrendous challenge'

Brighton only had one shot on target after Britos' red card

Britos protested his 24th-minute dismissal, but in truth there was little defending what was a dangerous two-footed tackle on Frenchman Knockaert.

Describing the challenge on Final Score, BBC Sport pundit Garth Crooks said: "I have no doubt in my mind that is a red card. I have not seen a tackle like that in 40 years."

On Twitter, Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker described it as "the most horrendous tackle".

Speaking after the game, Watford goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes said Britos had apologised to his team-mates, adding "we need to apologise to the Brighton players as well".

"He knows what he did and I don't think he did it intentionally," Gomes continued. "He always goes for the ball and he goes fair, but he lost timing and caught the player."

Britos - also sent off twice last season - is the second Watford player to be sent off in a week, after Jose Holebas saw red in the 3-2 EFL Cup defeat to Bristol City.

Man of the match - Anthony Knockaert (Brighton)

In his first league start of the season, Knockaert was a nuisance all afternoon. He was unlucky to be denied by a post in the first half and showed a creative flair not apparent in Brighton's first two games

Watford's 10 men hold on - the stats

• Watford have been given six red cards since the start of last season in the Premier League; a joint-high alongside Manchester City and West Ham United.

• Watford didn't attempt a single shot on target in this match - they only did this on one occasion at Vicarage Road in both 2015-16 (v Southampton) and 2016-17 (v Hull).

• Brighton have failed to score in their first three Premier League games of 2017-18. Before this season, 11 teams had done this and none of those sides ended the season in the relegation zone.

Brighton have not scored in the top flight of English football since Gordon Smith's goal in a 2-1 defeat at Norwich City in the 1982-83 season

'We lost emotional balance' - reaction

Watford manager Marco Silva: "It was a difficult match, it started really well for us, we had chances to score. After the first chance they created we lost emotional balance. We need to continue what we did before.

"The red card changed everything. But after that our players showed good spirit and attitude.

"I didn't see it, but the information I have is that it [the decision to send Britos off] looked fair. I have spoken with the player and we need to be calm to think what we will do."

Brighton manager Chris Hughton: "It is a concern [that Brighton are yet to score], yes, because on the balance of play and getting in areas we are, we should do better.

"We need to find a way to win these games, we hit the post twice and feel it is coming.

"I hope we are successful in this transfer window to get a bit more attacking threat. I hope I'll be busy, can't guarantee it, but we are trying as hard as we can. It is a difficult market."

Brighton winger Anthony Knockaert: "We are glad to get our first point but we're also disappointed not to get a win because we were playing against 10 men. We had a few chances but couldn't find a goal.

"We showed better character today and there are some good signs for the future. We have two weeks to work hard during the international break.

"We knew it would not be easy because they kept good shape and in the end I think they were happy with a draw."

What's next?

After the international break, Brighton play host to West Brom in the Premier League on 9 September, while Watford travel to Southampton on the same day (both 15:00 BST).